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Buxiu isn’t entirely sure what to make of his master’s wife, Ming Yi.
He acknowledges she’s strong, although regardless of the fact that she did just defeat his master in the most recent tournament, he still doubts whether she’s actually stronger than his master. Him and Ershiqi are just going to have to continue disagreeing on this matter.
He respects her. Greatly. She has not only saved his own life once before, but also the life of his master. Although, his master had also endangered his own life to save hers, so the favour had been returned. His master has told him repeatedly that saving each other’s lives should not be measured in favours, but this is another matter in which Buxiu will just have to disagree.
He appreciates her wisdom and intellect. It is different from his master’s intelligence, becoming most apparent when she is designing new artifacts and discussing battle strategies. Ming Yi appears to have a gift in seeing the strengths of various parts and pieces, and utilizing them in a way to create a single, unbreakable, whole. As smart as his master is, including others in his plans has always been difficult given how long he had to work alone. It is even more difficult for Buxiu who has often believed that the most straightforward method is the best: if someone can be killed, it is better to kill them first and to do it yourself. This is a matter Buxiu is still considering. His own master has never been able to truly talk him out of this perspective, but a handful of conversations with Ming Yi has made Buxiu consider that perhaps killing someone immediately isn’t actually always the most efficient strategy.
He is also, more often than not, happy to listen to her requests when she asks him for something. Most of her requests usually tend to be small, and typically in service of his master anyway—like bringing Ji Bozai extra clothing to keep him warm, and telling Buxiu to watch someone suspicious at Yaoguang Mountain who might try to harm his master when he is there to attend to his warrior duties. It truly does make him happy to know that there is someone else in his master’s life who is there to support him and care for him besides himself, and Granny Xun.
It’s just...
For all that Buxiu acknowledges Ming Yi as a strong, smart, capable, and loving partner to his master, truly the only person Buxiu feels could be a match for a man such as Ji Bozai, he often finds himself avoiding situations in which they might be alone together. This hadn’t been an issue prior to his master and Ming Yi re-marrying. Ming Yi had appeared quite content to focus on herself, and if she needed company would spend time with Ershiqi or Granny Xun.
However, things changed after his master and Ming Yi re-wrote their names on the marriage stone.
Since returning to her role as the Mistress of Wugui Sea, Ming Yi seemed to have an uncanny ability of bumping into Buxiu even when he is purposely trying to hide himself away—a habit he still has yet to break despite his master no longer needing Buxiu to be kept a secret.
At first, Buxiu thinks it is a mere coincidence. However, after days and weeks of Ming Yi consistently finding him no matter what corner he chooses to seclude himself, Buxiu is beginning to consider that Ming Yi may actually just... know where he is. Not only that, but the dragon is starting to believe that Ming Yi may be purposely trying to seek him out. Buxiu cannot think of a reason for why this would be the case though.
Feeling somewhat disconcerted by Ming Yi’s actions Buxiu brings up his thoughts to Ershiqi to get the cat’s perspective. If anyone understands Ming Yi and her intentions it would be her own spirit beast.
“Of course she can find you.” Ershiqi says while in the midst of stuffing a particularly plump fish into his mouth, not even bothering to glance Buxiu’s way. “Ming Yi was able to find me even when I was hiding in the Yaoguang Emperor’s secret room, within his own bedroom, inside a hidden compartment that he’d spelled with magic kept underneath a fake dresser. And I’m a cat! You’re a dragon, how would you ever hide from her?”
Buxiu feels mildly insulted at the flippant disregard for his skill in espionage. He had done spywork for his master for years without ever being caught by anyone! The only reason people found out about his existence was when he deliberately showed himself. Not one to be distracted from his true purpose though, Buxiu continues his line of questioning.
“But... why does she want to find me?” His master never went out of his way to find him unless there was a specific purpose. He knew Buxiu liked his space, just like Ji Bozai also liked his. What did Ming Yi want from him that she continued to seek him out so relentlessly. Every. Single. Day.
“To talk to you probably.” Buxiu scrunches his face in further confusion. He recalls the conversations he has with Ming Yi whenever she finds him.
“Hello Buxiu! How are you doing today?”
“I’m fine. Does My Lady need something from me?”
“Oh, no. I was just passing by. See you around! Also, try to make sure Ershiqi doesn’t eat too much fish. I feel like he’s been a bit rounder these days—”
“Wait. Did Ming Yi call me fat!?” Buxiu startles from his recounting of the most recent conversation he had with Ming Yi. It seems odd to think that she is coming to talk to him considering she often explicitly says that she has no reason to come to talk to him. Unfortunately, Ershiqi appears to have become distracted by Ming Yi’s comment regarding his fish intake.
Once again, Buxiu has to redirect the conversation back to his purpose. “We can discuss your fish intake later. First, I am trying to understand Ming Yi’s purpose in coming to talk to me.” Perhaps it’s the impatience that has laced it’s way into Buxiu’s tone, but Ershiqi settles down on his haunches and seems to consider Buxiu’s dilemma properly for the first time since they had begun this frustrating conversation.
“Why does Ming Yi need a reason to talk to you?” It is now Ershiqi's turn to scrunch his face in confusion as he asks this question, which makes Buxiu feel even more confused.
“If she has no reason to talk to me, then why does she come to talk to me?” The dragon asks again, more insistent this time.
Ershiqi doesn't respond right away and only stares at Buxiu without blinking for a few moments before he finally offers a reply. Buxiu feels like he should be praised for his patience in this moment. Ershiqi speaks slowly, pausing in between each word, as if he seems to think Buxiu might not understand him if he is not being absolutely clear. “Maybe... she just wants to say hello to you?”
Buxiu is upset to find he actually doesn't understand what Ershiqi is saying. Not because he doesn’t understand the words coming out of his mouth, but he doesn’t understand the meaning of what is being said.
“Why would she want to greet me though?” Saying hello is just a ritual of politeness. It is just a way for people to acknowledge someone in a social setting. Ming Yi has no reason to go out of her way to acknowledge Buxiu.
“Because... she’s just trying to be friendly?” Ershiqi responds while looking at Buxiu as if he’s the one being odd, and the answer should be obvious. This only serves to irritate Buxiu even more. If the answer was obvious, he would not be going out of his way to seek advice from Ershiqi. Buxiu is beginning to regret his decision and wonders if he should have gone to his master or Granny Xun instead for clarification on this matter.
Still. Buxiu considers Ershiqi’s response. Is Ming Yi simply being kind? Is that all? As Buxiu thinks on this perspective he finds himself recalling his first real conversation with Ershiqi. That had also been an interaction that had left Buxiu confused. He had been there to watch the cat, but the cat had seemed so insistent on talking to him. Was it the same? Was there no true ulterior motive besides the fact that Ming Yi was just trying to be friendly?
Now that Buxiu has had this realization he is starting to feel slightly embarrassed at his own prior confusion. Had he been too suspicious? Too cautious? He knows Ming Yi is a kind person, but does kindness also include the desire to just seek people out and talk to them for no reason beyond simple acknowledgment? His master, who is also kind, has never exhibited this kind of behaviour from Buxiu’s memory. After taking more time to consider, Buxiu decides to act as he sees best—straightforward and simple. He needs to go to the source. He will just have to ask Ming Yi herself the next time she comes to greet him.
Buxiu does not have to wait long to see Ming Yi next as she typically tries to find him at least once a day. The next day is no different.
The interaction starts off the same as it always does.
“Hello Buxiu! How are you doing today?” The dragon had not been doing anything of great importance. He has just been sitting on the roof of one of Wugui Sea’s many buildings, admiring the sky. A part of him had been contemplating shifting and flying a few rounds around the property. It has been a while since his master has needed to use him to fly them somewhere, and Buxiu misses the feeling of being in the air.
“I’m fine.” The next sentence sits on the tip of his tongue, the usual, “Does My Lady need me for something?” He decides not to say it. He feels the answer from Ming Yi will be the same anyway. However, because he doesn’t say it, Buxiu realizes he doesn’t know what to say next. If Ming Yi picks up on his discomfort, she doesn’t show it, and decides to continue the conversation on her own.
“It’s a beautiful day today isn’t it. The sky looks lovely.”
Buxiu nods, and then remembers that it is polite to actually speak a response. “Yes.” He recalls his last conversation with Ershiqi and considers using this moment to ask Ming Yi why she is here to talk to him, especially if she has no specific purpose for him. Instead, to his own surprise, he finds himself saying, “I was thinking of flying around for a bit.”
Buxiu remembers when his master had just gained the spiritual power to manifest Buxiu’s corporeal form. He would often watch the dragon flying freely in the sky with a look of both envy and sadness. As a spirit beast, Buxiu was a reflection of his master, and it took a while for the dragon to understand why watching him fly made his own master sad. However, as his master began enacting his plans for revenge in earnest, Buxiu understood. His master dreamed to live a life of freedom, to be able to fly freely and held down by no one and nothing, as strong and free as a black dragon. In reality, his master felt chained to the ground, forever feeling like a prisoner who had never left the Sunken Abyss. Even when Buxiu would invite his master to fly for fun he never seemed to truly enjoy the experience. His mind was always too preoccupied with the next steps in his plans. And now that his master has gained his freedom, he doesn’t need to use Buxiu to feel like he is flying.
Ji Bozai once told him that just having Ming Yi’s presence near him made him feel like he was flying. Buxiu still isn’t sure what his master meant with those words. He has never witnessed Ming Yi using magic or one of her artifacts to help his master fly.
Perhaps it is due to his master’s recent subdued reactions to his ability to fly, that Buxiu is somewhat taken aback at Ming Yi’s response—a look of pure excitement and happiness.
“That sounds wonderful! I hope you enjoy yourself up there.” The smile she gives him is wide and warm, showing all her teeth, and her eyes have lit up just like the way Ershiqi's eyes do at the sight of grilled fish. While spirit beasts do not necessarily share the same emotional experiences as their master’s, for a brief moment, Buxiu can understand why his master often becomes fixated on the endeavour of making Ming Yi smile as often as possible. It is truly a sight to behold.
Maybe it is for that reason that Buxiu ends up uttering the next question, “...Would My Lady like to join me?”
Ming Yi’s response continues to be highly enthusiastic, “Could I really? You wouldn’t mind?”
Buxiu transforms in this moment, taking care to adjust his weight to make sure none of his claws accidentally breaks any of the roofs of the buildings he is standing on to accommodate for his much larger size. “Of course not. You’ve ridden on me before.” He lowers his head and rests it on the portion of the roof that Ming Yi is standing on, waiting patiently for her to jump atop his head.
After making sure Ming Yi is seated properly, Buxiu takes off. At first he tries to keep the ride steady and smooth as he does when transporting his master, however apparently Ming Yi is not interested in steady and smooth.
“What’s the fastest you can go?” she asks, and then proceeds to test how fast Buxiu can fly, and how much magic she has to use to avoid falling off.
“Oh! Go up and down like you did just now, that was fun!” she says, when Buxiu has to adjust his flying altitude to avoid smashing into a pod of sky whales.
“I wonder if I could design some armour to protect your head, just in case,” she muses after they have left the sky whales far behind. She runs her hands over his scales as she airs her thoughts on an adequate design, and begins pacing atop the surface area of his head as if measuring the size for whatever head piece she is already imagining in her mind. Buxiu doesn’t want to admit it, but the gentle way in which she pats his head feels incredibly soothing.
Due to Ming Yi’s incredible curiosity and desire to test out various factors that involve magical flight they end up staying in the air for almost the entire day. He’s quite sure Ming Yi would have actually preferred to continue were it not for the drop in temperature as the sun began to disappear beyond the horizon. He vaguely hears her commenting about bringing warmer clothes the next time they do this. Buxiu had not considered there to be a next time, however he realizes he is quite excited at the thought of flying with Ming Yi again.
It's not an emotion Buxiu is used to feeling. Except when his master gives him permission to kill someone, which hasn't happened since the destruction of the sky swallowing array.
To make the landing easier for them both, Buxiu decides to descend at the entrance of Wugui Sea where there is more space. When Ming Yi jumps off his head, Buxiu is ready to turn back into his human form, but something stops him. It’s the feeling of Ming Yi gently running her fingers just under his jaw. It takes Buxiu a moment to realize what she is doing until it dawns on him that she is... scratching his chin! Even though her hands are tiny compared to his size as a dragon, the gentle scratching along his scales feels so good that Buxiu finds himself closing his eyes and resting his entire length onto the ground. Then, to both of their surprises, he lets out a groan that echoes around the entire grounds.
If he had the ability to blush right now, Buxiu is sure his entire body would be red. He has never made a noise like that before. The dragon’s eyes flicker open and land on Ming Yi, who has not stopped scratching him. He expects her to be laughing, or at least hiding a laugh, but instead her face just shows a gentle fondness that Buxiu is only used to seeing directed at his master. Once again, if Buxiu could blush in this form, he is sure all his scales would be bright red.
“Ershiqi always likes it when I give him chin scratches, who knew dragons were no different,” she comments, extending her reach to scratch him in earnest now across a great portion of his jaw.
A part of Buxiu feels like he should put a stop to this. Even his own master has never treated him this way before. In fact, the thought of Ji Bozai ever treating him this way makes Buxiu want to shudder a bit. Instead he finds his own body betraying him. Perhaps Ming Yi is using magic to add a soothing effect, but whatever it is, Buxiu finds himself closing his eyes again and continues to just rest in his dragon state while Ming Yi continues to scratch along his chin. The dragon swears to eat anyone or anything who witnesses them in this moment, even if it’s his own master.
The next day when his master asks if something had happened to him, Buxiu feigns ignorance. He tells his master he went on a flight with Ming Yi, and that when they returned, nothing out of the ordinary occurred. He eyes his master, expecting to be called out for his lie, but surprisingly Ji Bozai just nods. “Ming Yi told me she had a good time and also apparently has some new ideas of designing some armour to protect your head in dragon form. I didn’t think you would be okay with something like that.”
Buxiu didn’t think he would have been either in the past. Dragon scales are as strong as diamonds and armour is largely unnecessary. However... “If Mistress Ming Yi is designing it, I am sure it will be very comfortable and powerful.”
Buxiu isn’t sure why his master appears so delighted at the dragon’s assessment of his wife’s abilities. Everyone who is anybody knows Ming Yi’s skills at building artifacts and other creations is second to none. Still. Buxiu finds that a part of him actually feels quite flattered that Ming Yi is designing something for him, and he finds he is quite excited to see what she has in mind.
“I’m glad you and Ming Yi are getting along.” Ji Bozai says next. He seems to be expecting Buxiu to reply, but the dragon is unsure what response his master is looking for.
“I... yes. We are.” Buxiu offers. Straightforward and honest, because what else is there to say?
It seems to be the right response as Ji Bozai’s smile widens even further. Well. If bonding with Ming Yi makes his master happy, Buxiu decides he will dedicate more time to this endeavour. The fact that he may receive even more chin scratches is just an extra benefit. Just extra. Of course.
---
Ji Bozai chokes on his tea as his wife, Ming Yi, recounts her adventure of the day flying with Buxiu for the first time.
“You... you what?” He asks because he is sure he must have heard wrong, throat still hoarse from coughing out the tea.
“I gave him chin scratches after. He seemed to really enjoy it.” Ming Yi replied, as if she was just updating him about the weather and not upending her husband’s entire perception of his own spirit beast.
“Chin scratches?” Ji Bozai repeats dumbly. He tries to imagine the scene in his mind. Buxiu, in his full dragon form, laying on the ground outside the gates of Wugui Sea as his wife, barely a speck, gives the beast chin scratches. “Chin scratches?” Ji Bozai repeats again, his pitch rising up a notch as he tries to hold back a giggle as his imagination continues. In his mind he sees Buxiu reacting in the same way Ershiqi reacts when the cat receives chin scratches, purring and wiggling around on Ji Bozai’s lap with sheer joy, except as a full grown dragon. Ji Bozai thinks he might be hyperventilating now as he struggles to contain his incredulous laughter.
Ming Yi gives him a chastising look. “Why are you laughing?” she questions as she grabs the tea cup that Ji Bozai has forgotten he’s still holding out of his hand to refill it. “Is what I said that strange?”
“Buxiu is a dragon.” Ji Bozai replies, as if that explains everything. Dragons are majestic. Strong. Composed. Not necessarily equipped with the best social skills, but they aren’t pets. They don’t need pampering, or petting, or to be coddled.
Ming Yi roles her eyes. “Who says dragons don’t appreciate being doted on? I’m starting to see why Buxiu is always so jumpy around me, with the way you treat him.” It’s a low blow, but Ji Bozai takes it in stride. Ji Bozai has yet again aided Ershiqi in escaping from assisting Ming Yi with her forging the other day, so he understands why she may be a bit prickly with him. He won’t apologize for what he did though. Him and Ershiqi have developed an understanding with each other. It seems like his wife and his dragon may be developing something similar soon given their most recent interaction.
“I don’t think Buxiu would appreciate receiving chin scratches from me. I’ll leave that part of his care to you,” Ji Bozai muses, picking up his newly filled cup to take another sip. A part of him feels somewhat sad at this realization. Is his treatment of his own spirit beast so callous that it requires his wife to provide appropriate care?
Ming Yi seems to read the sudden shift in her husbands mood as she gently places her hand atop his. “You and Buxiu have spent most of your time together plotting revenge. It’s natural that he doesn’t know what to do with himself now that your goals have changed.”
Ji Bozai sighs. “I do feel bad,” he says, flipping his palm so that he can thread his fingers between Ming Yi’s to hold her hand properly, “He keeps telling me he feels a bit useless nowadays, and he hates it whenever we have to go to Yaoguang Mountain for training and can’t kill anyone. He wants to kill everyone there, Ming Yi. Everyone!”
“He sounds just like his master then.” Ming Yi says fondly, swinging their hands together playfully. “I’m sure you feel exactly the same way.” She makes eye contact with her husband and raises one eyebrow as if to ask, am I wrong? Ji Bozai meets her gaze and smirks, bringing the back of her palm to his lips to leave a gentle kiss—you’re right. She knows him too well.
“Why don’t you bring Ershiqi with you instead the next time you have to attend training? He’d love to go back and harass everyone there.” A spark of mischief shines in her eyes as she says this. “I’ll need to spend more time flying with Buxiu anyway to get a better idea of how to design an appropriate head piece for him.”
“Can we do that?” Ji Bozai asks, somewhat startled. Spirit beasts were tied to their owners with a special bond. It felt odd to take Ming Yi's spirit beast and leave his own behind, especially for multiple days if he were to stay at Yaoguang Mountain.
“Of course, consider it as taking a piece of me with you while you’re away,” her gaze is fond as she says this. “Our spirit beasts are their own individuals, but they are born from our souls, and the two of us are connected through our heart imprint. Ershiqi will keep you safe just as much as I would, and I know Buxiu would do the same for me.”
Ji Bozai takes a moment to consider this. His former master, Bo Yulan, had tried to instill in him as much knowledge about cultivating spiritual energy as she could in the short time they had together, but he had only been able to manifest Buxiu shortly before she was murdered. The intricacies of what it means to have a spirit beast is something he finds he is still learning. But he realizes he likes the thought. That bringing Ershiqi will mean bringing a piece of Ming Yi with him, and leaving Buxiu to stay behind will mean leaving a bit of himself to keep her company as well.
“Okay.” Ji Bozai feels something settle in his chest as the thought settles further in to his mind. Something warm. Something comforting. Something safe. “Sounds like a plan.”